ACCOMMODATIONS FOR DIVERSE LEARNERS Julius Caesar is a play that can be used in a variety of ways. What makes it so accessible is that, thematically, it is completely universal. So many students are intimidated by William Shakespeare’s use of language that it is important for me to teach it on a level playing field, in such a way that all students can approach the material and confront it confidently. It is very important to plan for diverse learners because as an educator, we should strive for every student to succeed. Hopefully, with these accommodations, my students will see that they can succeed with the right materials to do so. In addition to these accommodations, each lesson plan has attached more specific accommodations for students with differing abilities.
Student Living in Poverty The most important thing that I can do for an impoverished student in my classroom is provide a safe environment for them in which they feel that they are being provided structure and the help that they need. Providing structure for him or her will help to ensure that the student has some sort of routine in their life, something constant that allows them to feel safe and comfortable. I will also have conferences with the student’s parent(s) in order to keep them interested in their child’s education and to explain any future assignments to them. The student will also have extra time for assignments, should need be. I will always have an “open door” policy, and I will allow the student to come in before school and after school to complete assignments. I will always allow for the option that assignments are written rather than typed so that they student does not feel pressured by their lack of technology. I will give this student the chance to succeed in a structured environment, and I will hold him or her to the same standards as the the other students because, often times, it is just important for a student to feel that they are not being treated differently as a result of their difficulties.
English Language Learner There will be several accommodations made for this student. He or she will be given a copy of all texts in their native language for that he or she will not fall behind in the material. This copy will serve as a helping hand rather than their only copy. This will help them to translate because Shakespeare is so difficult. Because I believe in establishing a community through group work and class discussion, this will provide the student with an opportunity to work with their peers to learn English in a safe environment. As with my student in poverty, I will allow for my English Language Learner to come into school early or stay after school to receive one on one instruction, whether it be through clarification of instructions or reading the text aloud. In addition, the student may choose to take exams or quizzes that they cannot finish during class during their lunch period or after school in order to ensure that they are receiving the proper clarification and understanding the language. All assignments will be modified for this student so that they can still complete meaningful work, but not feel overwhelmed by the language. Finally, I will pair this student with another student in class (perhaps my high achieving student) in order to ensure that, even in the moments that I am busy, he or she will be getting the attention that they need to understand the language. Grading will also take into account their language barrier.
Student With Physical Challenge This student will be given extra time to get to and from class and will not be penalized if they are late entering class. He or she will be assigned a seat close to the door in order to ensure that they are able to come and go easily. He or she will be allowed to leave the room to go to the bathroom without asking for permission. This student will also be given a desk that allows for them to sit comfortably during the class period, and if they have trouble carrying their materials to and from class, I will ask a reliable student to help them do so. This student will also be allowed to sit out of any physical activities that they feel uncomfortable completing/are unable to complete. In replacement of this activity, I will give the student an alternative assignment so that they do not feel left out of the action.
Student on the Autism Spectrum I will have a meeting with this student’s parents in order to get a better idea of where this student falls on the autism spectrum and to better understand the student’s needs and methods of learning. This student may or may not be provided with an aid who will monitor their work during the class. If this is the case, I will provide a desk and chair for the aid so that both they and the student will feel more comfortable in the classroom. If this is not the case, the student will be assigned a desk close to the front of the room in order to allow me to monitor their learning in an efficient way. The student will be given written copies of all prompts and directions. I will constantly clarify and repeat directions so that the task is easily understood. The goals and learning outcomes for the day will be written on the board, which will be helpful to this student because he or she will be able to materialize what it is we will be doing that particular day. It will also be helpful for my students in general so that we may keep on task. I will closely monitor the student during group work and individual assignments and use a variety of instructional methods in order to help keep the student focused and interested in the material. The student will be allowed to choose their partner because students on the autism spectrum are usually resistant to change and appreciate a routine. The student will be given extensions on assignments should need be, and will be given the opportunity to come into school early, during lunch, or after school in order to receive more individualized instruction. I will pair this student with reliable or high achieving students in my classroom so that they are kept on task and given some sort of instruction throughout the learning process. It is important that instruction is individualized.
High Achieving Student This student will be given a variety of methods/outlets for his or her needs as a high achieving student. In an honors English classroom, they will automatically feel challenged by the material, and I will allow for any suggestions or comments that he or she may have in regards to discussion questions or moments that he or she noticed in the text. His or her knowledge is invaluable, which I will make known to the student, privately, and offer him or her that chance at extra credit should they decide that they want to write creatively or read another novel that is not assigned reading. If the student finishes their work early, they will be encouraged to help those around them, and the plethora of group work and class discussion that I will have in my classroom will allow him or her to help their classmates on many occasions. I must work just as hard to keep this student engaged as I do with my at risk student, and the various activities that we will do in my classroom will allow him or her to explore other interests.
At Risk Student I will need to modify my lessons in a way that makes them more interesting, not only for my at risk students, but for all of my students. Doing meaningful and interesting work is only half of the battle. I will incorporate technology and multi-media sources in my classroom in order to keep my student interested. I will always scaffold my students into and out of activities and assignments in an effort to make them feel more comfortable with the material. I will offer extra help before school, during lunch, and after school which will allow the student to have ample time to complete assignments or exams and receive my feedback on assignments. This student will also be given the opportunity to complete extra credit assignments to raise their grade. The student will be rewarded for staying on track during class periods, as well as for participating in class. I will hold this student to the same standards as the others, but in such a way that they are striving to be better, even if that means attending extra help or completing extra credit. If this student puts in the effort, they will see their grade improve.
Julius Caesar is a play that can be used in a variety of ways. What makes it so accessible is that, thematically, it is completely universal. So many students are intimidated by William Shakespeare’s use of language that it is important for me to teach it on a level playing field, in such a way that all students can approach the material and confront it confidently. It is very important to plan for diverse learners because as an educator, we should strive for every student to succeed. Hopefully, with these accommodations, my students will see that they can succeed with the right materials to do so. In addition to these accommodations, each lesson plan has attached more specific accommodations for students with differing abilities.
Student Living in Poverty
The most important thing that I can do for an impoverished student in my classroom is provide a safe environment for them in which they feel that they are being provided structure and the help that they need. Providing structure for him or her will help to ensure that the student has some sort of routine in their life, something constant that allows them to feel safe and comfortable. I will also have conferences with the student’s parent(s) in order to keep them interested in their child’s education and to explain any future assignments to them. The student will also have extra time for assignments, should need be. I will always have an “open door” policy, and I will allow the student to come in before school and after school to complete assignments. I will always allow for the option that assignments are written rather than typed so that they student does not feel pressured by their lack of technology. I will give this student the chance to succeed in a structured environment, and I will hold him or her to the same standards as the the other students because, often times, it is just important for a student to feel that they are not being treated differently as a result of their difficulties.
English Language Learner
There will be several accommodations made for this student. He or she will be given a copy of all texts in their native language for that he or she will not fall behind in the material. This copy will serve as a helping hand rather than their only copy. This will help them to translate because Shakespeare is so difficult. Because I believe in establishing a community through group work and class discussion, this will provide the student with an opportunity to work with their peers to learn English in a safe environment. As with my student in poverty, I will allow for my English Language Learner to come into school early or stay after school to receive one on one instruction, whether it be through clarification of instructions or reading the text aloud. In addition, the student may choose to take exams or quizzes that they cannot finish during class during their lunch period or after school in order to ensure that they are receiving the proper clarification and understanding the language. All assignments will be modified for this student so that they can still complete meaningful work, but not feel overwhelmed by the language. Finally, I will pair this student with another student in class (perhaps my high achieving student) in order to ensure that, even in the moments that I am busy, he or she will be getting the attention that they need to understand the language. Grading will also take into account their language barrier.
Student With Physical Challenge
This student will be given extra time to get to and from class and will not be penalized if they are late entering class. He or she will be assigned a seat close to the door in order to ensure that they are able to come and go easily. He or she will be allowed to leave the room to go to the bathroom without asking for permission. This student will also be given a desk that allows for them to sit comfortably during the class period, and if they have trouble carrying their materials to and from class, I will ask a reliable student to help them do so. This student will also be allowed to sit out of any physical activities that they feel uncomfortable completing/are unable to complete. In replacement of this activity, I will give the student an alternative assignment so that they do not feel left out of the action.
Student on the Autism Spectrum
I will have a meeting with this student’s parents in order to get a better idea of where this student falls on the autism spectrum and to better understand the student’s needs and methods of learning. This student may or may not be provided with an aid who will monitor their work during the class. If this is the case, I will provide a desk and chair for the aid so that both they and the student will feel more comfortable in the classroom. If this is not the case, the student will be assigned a desk close to the front of the room in order to allow me to monitor their learning in an efficient way. The student will be given written copies of all prompts and directions. I will constantly clarify and repeat directions so that the task is easily understood. The goals and learning outcomes for the day will be written on the board, which will be helpful to this student because he or she will be able to materialize what it is we will be doing that particular day. It will also be helpful for my students in general so that we may keep on task. I will closely monitor the student during group work and individual assignments and use a variety of instructional methods in order to help keep the student focused and interested in the material. The student will be allowed to choose their partner because students on the autism spectrum are usually resistant to change and appreciate a routine. The student will be given extensions on assignments should need be, and will be given the opportunity to come into school early, during lunch, or after school in order to receive more individualized instruction. I will pair this student with reliable or high achieving students in my classroom so that they are kept on task and given some sort of instruction throughout the learning process. It is important that instruction is individualized.
High Achieving Student
This student will be given a variety of methods/outlets for his or her needs as a high achieving student. In an honors English classroom, they will automatically feel challenged by the material, and I will allow for any suggestions or comments that he or she may have in regards to discussion questions or moments that he or she noticed in the text. His or her knowledge is invaluable, which I will make known to the student, privately, and offer him or her that chance at extra credit should they decide that they want to write creatively or read another novel that is not assigned reading. If the student finishes their work early, they will be encouraged to help those around them, and the plethora of group work and class discussion that I will have in my classroom will allow him or her to help their classmates on many occasions. I must work just as hard to keep this student engaged as I do with my at risk student, and the various activities that we will do in my classroom will allow him or her to explore other interests.
At Risk Student
I will need to modify my lessons in a way that makes them more interesting, not only for my at risk students, but for all of my students. Doing meaningful and interesting work is only half of the battle. I will incorporate technology and multi-media sources in my classroom in order to keep my student interested. I will always scaffold my students into and out of activities and assignments in an effort to make them feel more comfortable with the material. I will offer extra help before school, during lunch, and after school which will allow the student to have ample time to complete assignments or exams and receive my feedback on assignments. This student will also be given the opportunity to complete extra credit assignments to raise their grade. The student will be rewarded for staying on track during class periods, as well as for participating in class. I will hold this student to the same standards as the others, but in such a way that they are striving to be better, even if that means attending extra help or completing extra credit. If this student puts in the effort, they will see their grade improve.